In another sense, by the terms ‘sun’, ‘moon’, and ‘stars’ are meant such laws and teachings as have been established and proclaimed in every Dispensation, such as the laws of prayer and fasting.  These have, according to the law of the Qur’an, been regarded, when the beauty of the Prophet Muhammad had passed beyond the veil, as the most fundamental and binding laws of His dispensation.  To this testify the texts of the traditions and chronicles, which, on account of their being widely known, need not be referred to here.  Nay rather, in every Dispensation the law concerning prayer hath been emphasized and universally enforced.  To this testify the recorded traditions ascribed to the lights that have emanated from the Day-star of Truth, the essence of the Prophet Muhammad.

The traditions established the fact that in all Dispensations the law of prayer hath constituted a fundamental element of the Revelation of all the Prophets of God—­a law the form and the manner of which hath been adapted to the varying requirements of every age.  Inasmuch as every subsequent Revelation hath abolished the manners, habits, and teachings that have been clearly, specifically, and firmly established by the former Dispensation, these have accordingly been symbolically expressed in terms of ‘sun’ and ‘moon’.  “That He might prove you, which of you excel in deeds."(25)

Moreover, in the traditions the terms “sun” and “moon” have been applied to prayer and fasting, even as it is said:  “Fasting is illumination, prayer is light.”  One day, a well-known divine came to visit Us.  While We were conversing with him, he referred to the above-quoted tradition.  He said:  “Inasmuch as fasting causeth the heat of the body to increase, it hath therefore been likened unto the light of the sun; and as the prayer of the night-season refresheth man, it hath been compared unto the radiance of the moon.”  Thereupon We realized that that poor man had not been favoured with a single drop of the ocean of true understanding, and had strayed far from the burning Bush of divine wisdom.  We then politely observed to him saying:  “The interpretation your honour hath given to this tradition is the one current amongst the people.  Could it not be interpreted differently?” He asked Us:  “What could it be?” We made reply:  “Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets, and the most distinguished of God’s chosen Ones, hath likened the Dispensation of the Qur’an unto heaven, by reason of its loftiness, its paramount influence, its majesty, and the fact that it comprehendeth all religions.  And as the sun and moon constitute the brightest and most prominent luminaries in the heavens, similarly in the heaven of the religion of God two shining orbs have been ordained—­fasting and prayer.  ’Islam is heaven; fasting is its sun, prayer, its moon.’”